Semi-Generic Steering Knuckle Adapter Assembly for a Vehicle

ABSTRACT

A semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly provides predetermined attachment locations for installing a wheel-replacing track system on a steering knuckle. The adapter assembly comprises one or more customized adapting members (e.g. frame(s), plate(s)) configured to be mounted to the steering knuckle of a vehicle, and a generic supporting member (e.g. frame, plate) configured to be mounted to the adapting member(s) and comprising the predetermined attachment locations where the support frame of the track system can be releasably yet rigidly secured. By providing predetermined and preconfigured attachment locations where the wheel-replacing track system can be secured, the adapter assembly allows the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient and/or weak locations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/700,000, entitled “Semi-GenericSteering Knuckle Adapter Assembly for a Vehicle”, and filed at theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 12, 2012, the contentof which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to track systems and tractionassemblies used as wheel replacement for typically wheeled vehicles.More particularly, the present invention relates to structuralassemblies used to mount track systems and traction assemblies onnormally wheeled vehicles, and more particularly on heavy normallywheeled vehicles such as, but not limited to, farming and agriculturalvehicles (e.g. tractors, harvesters, etc.), construction and industrialvehicles (e.g. excavators, loaders, combines, forestry equipments), andmilitary vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soil compaction and floatation have always been important issues forfarmers operating tractors and other farming vehicles in their fields.It has thus been found advantageous to replace two or even all fourwheels of farming tractors (and other wheeled vehicles) with tracksystems which use endless traction bands instead of wheels forpropulsion.

Using track systems instead of wheels brings several advantages whenoperated on soft terrains. For instance, the larger surface area of thetraction bands improves the floatation and also generally improves theoverall traction of the tractor.

However, tractors, and other similar normally wheeled vehicles, arestill typically sold with wheels and are typically configured to beoperated with wheels. Hence, tractors are typically not configured toreceive or support track systems. Thus, when an operator wants toreplace the wheels of its tractor with track systems, the installationmay involve the attachment of the track systems to the vehicle atlocations which, in some case, were not initially designed to supportand/or sustain the additional load imparted by the track systems duringuse.

This is true of track systems installed as replacement of steerablewheels, typically the front wheels, since the track systems need toremain steerable. Hence, the replacement of steerable wheels by tracksystems may involve the attachment of the track systems to or near thesteering knuckles (e.g. to the wheel hubs, to the bolts holding thekingpin, etc.).

However, as the steering knuckles of a tractor are generally not madenor configured to support track systems, these installations may bedifficult, can cause premature wearing of steering components of thetractor, and/or can even cause premature failure of those components.These installations can also cause premature wearing of components ofthe track systems (i.e. the traction band, road wheels, idler wheels,etc.) due, for instance, to misalignment between the track systems andthe vehicle.

Hence, despite the advantages of using track systems on farming tractorsand other similar vehicles, there are still some shortcomings that needto be addressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least some of the shortcomings of the prior art steering knuckles andsteering assemblies regarding the installation of track systems aregenerally mitigated by a semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assemblywhich generally acts as an interface between the track system and thesteering knuckle to which the track system is mounted.

Hence, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, thesemi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly generally comprises atleast one customized adapting member (also sometimes referred to as anadapter frame or an adapter plate) configured to be mounted to thesteering knuckle, and a generic supporting member (also referred to as asupport frame or a support plate) configured to be mounted to the atleast one customized adapting member and which is provided withpreconfigured attachment locations where the track system can be mountedand properly secured.

Understandably, the at least one adapting member comprises at least onecustomized portion configured to be mounted to a particular steeringknuckle or type of steering knuckles, and a generic portion configuredto mate with the generic supporting member.

The supporting member, which is configured to be mounted to the at leastone adapting member, comprises a portion which is provided with thepreconfigured attachment locations. The attachment locations aretypically disposed such as to allow a variety of track systems to bemounted to the adapter assembly with limited or no modifications. Hence,the attachment locations allow the track system to be mounted at properlocations on the steering assembly of the vehicle. In addition, theportion of the supporting member provided with the attachment locationsis typically reinforced or made bigger in order to properly support andsustain the forces transmitted by the track system to the adapterassembly during operation of the vehicle.

In typical though non-limitative embodiments, the at least onecustomized adapting member is configured to be fastened to the steeringknuckle with threaded fasteners (e.g. bolts).

In typical though non-limitative embodiments, the adapter assemblycomprises two customized adapting members, one typically customized tobe mounted to the top portion of the steering knuckle, and one typicallycustomized to be mounted to the bottom portion of the steering knuckle.In such embodiments, the supporting member is configured to be mountedto both adapting members.

In typical though non-limitative embodiments, the attachment locationsare located in the bottom portion of the supporting member. In suchembodiments, the under surface of the bottom portion of the supportingmember typically comprises a substantially flat receiving areaconfigured to mate with a support frame of the track system.

In typical though non-limitative embodiments, the attachment locationsare threaded holes configured to receive correspondingly threadedfasteners (e.g. bolts).

By providing an interfacing assembly between the track system and thesteering knuckle, the semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly inaccordance with the principles of the present invention provides properlocations where the track system can be secured to the steering knucklewhile avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.

Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention willbe obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments aboutto be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and variousadvantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the artupon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become more readily apparent from the following description,reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a farming vehicle equipped with twofront track systems and two rear track systems.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the farming vehicle of FIG. 1 in whichthe front left track system is partially exploded.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the front left steering knuckle ofthe farming vehicle of FIG. 1 having mounted thereto a semi-genericsteering knuckle adapter assembly in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the front left steering knuckle andsemi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the front left steering knuckle andsemi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front interior perspective view of the frontleft steering knuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assemblyof FIG. 3, with the support frame of the track system mounted to theadapter assembly.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear interior perspective view of the front leftsteering knuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly withthe support frame of the track system mounted thereto of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary interior side view of the front left steeringknuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front interior exploded perspective view of thefront left steering knuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapterassembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary rear interior exploded perspective view of thefront left steering knuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapterassembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary interior exploded side view of the front leftsteering knuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front interior exploded perspective view of thefront left steering knuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapterassembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front exterior exploded perspective view of thefront left steering knuckle and semi-generic steering knuckle adapterassembly of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A novel semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly will be describedhereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specificillustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodimentsdescribed herein are by way of example only and that the scope of theinvention is not intended to be limited thereby.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a farming tractor 100 equipped withfour wheel-replacing track systems 200 is illustrated. In the presentembodiment, the two front track systems 200 respectively replace thesteerable front wheels (not shown) of the tractor 100 while the two reartrack systems 200 respectively replace the non-steerable rear wheels(not shown) of the tractor 100.

In the present embodiment, in order to respect the geometry of thewheels they replace, the front track systems 200 are smaller than therear track systems 200. Still, in other embodiments, the front and reartrack systems 200 could be of the same size.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2, the front track systems 200 arerespectively secured to the left and right steering assemblies 102 andmore particularly to the steering knuckles 104 and hubs 106 thereof.

As the left and right steering assemblies 102, the left and right fronttrack systems 200, and the left and right adapter assemblies 300 aremirror image of each other, the following description will only refer tothe left steering assembly 102, to the left front track system 200, andto the left adapter assembly 300. It remains that the descriptionapplies equally to both steering assembly 102, to both front tracksystems 200, and to both adapter assemblies 300.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the front left track system 200 (hereafter“the track system”) is shown mounted to the steering knuckle 104 via anembodiment of the semi-generic steering knuckle adapter assembly 300 inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the track system 200 generally comprises adrive wheel 202 (e.g. a sprocket wheel) configured to the mounted to thehub 106 of the vehicle 100, an upper support frame 204 configured to bemounted to the vehicle 100, and more particularly to the adapterassembly 300, and a lower support frame 206 pivotally mounted to theupper support frame 204 (the upper and lower support frames 204 and 206being collectively referred to as the support frame assembly 208). Thelower support frame 206 supports idler wheels 210 pivotally mounted atthe front and rear extremities thereof, and road wheels 212 pivotallymounted along the length thereof (the idler wheels 210 and the roadwheels 212 being collectively referred to as the ground support wheels).An endless traction band 214 (see FIG. 1) is disposed around the variouswheels 202, 210 and 212 and is configured to be entrained by the drivewheel 202 for propelling the vehicle 100.

In the present embodiment, the traction band 214 is made from reinforcedelastomeric material.

As it will be best understood below, the adapter assembly 300 isconfigured to be mounted to the steering knuckle 104 of the vehicle 100in order to provide predetermined attachment locations 360 where thetrack system 200 can be properly secured.

In the present embodiment, the adapter assembly 300 generally comprisesa first or top customized adapting member or plate 310 (hereafter “topmember”), a second or bottom customized adapting member or plate 370(hereafter “bottom member”), and a generic supporting member or frame340 (hereafter “supporting member”). In the present embodiment, allthree members 310, 340 and 370 are made of metallic material.

As it will be best understood below, the top and bottom members 310 and370 are configured to be directly mounted to the steering knuckle 104while the supporting member 340 is configured to be mounted to the topand bottom members 310 and 370.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 13, the present embodiment of the adapterassembly 300 will be described in more details.

The top member 310 is configured to be secured to the top portion 108 ofthe steering knuckle 104 and to the supporting member 340. In thatsense, the top member 310 comprises a custom portion 312 particularlyconfigured to be secured to the top portion 108 of the particularknuckle 104, and a generic portion 314 configured to be secured to thesupporting member 340.

Understandably, the actual shape and configuration of the custom portion312 of the top member 310 will vary in accordance with the actual shapeand configuration of the top portion 108 of the knuckle 104. However,the configuration of the generic portion 314 will remain generally thesame independently of the shape of the top portion 108 of the knuckle104 in order to properly mate with the generic supporting member 340.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 9 to 13, in the present embodiment,the custom portion 312 of the top member 310 comprises a set of fastenerholes 316 which matches the set of mounting holes 112 present in the topportion 108 of the knuckle 104.

The fastener holes 316 allow the mounting fasteners 318 (e.g. bolts) toextend into the mounting holes 112.

In the present embodiment, the mounting holes 112 are threaded and thefasteners 318 have matching threads. In other embodiments, the topmember 310 could be secured to the top portion 108 via other fasteningarrangements.

The generic portion 314 of the top member 310 comprises a mating area320 configured to mate with the corresponding mating area 348 on the topportion 342 of the supporting member 340. In the present embodiment,mating areas 320 and 348 are substantially flat. In other embodiments,mating areas 320 and 348 could be other than flat. However, in suchcases, mating areas 320 and 348 would typically be complementary.

The mating area 320 comprises a series of mounting holes 322 forreceiving mounting fasteners 352. In the present embodiment, themounting holes 322 are threaded and the mounting fasteners 352 arecorrespondingly threaded (e.g. bolts). Still, in other embodiments, thesupporting member 340 could be secured to the top member 310 using otherforms of fastening arrangements.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 to 13, one or more shim plates 324 can beplaced between the mating areas 320 and 348 in order to provide slightadjustments between the top member 310 and the supporting member 340.

In the present embodiment, the shim plates 324 are made of metallicmaterial, e.g. stainless steel, though in other embodiments, otherappropriate material(s) could be used (e.g. polymeric materials,elastomeric materials, composite materials, etc.).

Referring back to FIGS. 3 to 13, the bottom member 370 is configured tobe secured the bottom portion 110 of the steering knuckle 104 and to thesupporting member 340.

As for the top member 310, the bottom member 370 comprises a customportion 372 particularly configured to be secured to the bottom portion110 of the particular knuckle 104, and a generic portion 374 configuredto be secured to the supporting member 340.

In the present embodiment, the bottom member 370 is substantially shapedas a plate and the custom portion 372 happens to generally correspond tothe top surface of the bottom member 370 and the generic portion 374happens to generally correspond to the bottom surface of the bottommember 370.

Understandably, the actual shape and configuration of the custom portion372 of the bottom member 370 will vary in accordance with the actualshape and configuration of the bottom portion 110 of the knuckle 104.However, the configuration of the generic portion 374 will remaingenerally the same independently of the shape of the bottom portion 110of the knuckle 104 in order to properly mate with the generic supportingmember 340.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13, in the present embodiment, the customportion 372 of the bottom member 370 comprises a main opening 376 forreceiving the kingpin assembly 114 (i.e. the kingpin, the washer and thebearing), and a set of fastener holes 378 which matches the set ofmounting holes 116 in the bottom portion 110 of the knuckle 104. Thefastener holes 378 extend through the bottom member 370 and allow thefasteners (not shown) used to secure the kingpin assembly 114 to extendthrough the bottom member 370 and into the mounting holes 116.

As can be understood from the figures, in the present embodiment, thebottom member 370 is configured to be sandwiched between the kingpinassembly 114 and the bottom portion 110 of the steering knuckle 104. Inthat sense, the bottom member 370 further comprises a recess 380 (seeFIGS. 12 and 13) suitably sized and shaped to receive the kingpinassembly 114 in a substantially flush manner. Still, in otherembodiments, the bottom member 370 could be secured to the bottomportion 110 via other fastening arrangements.

For its part, the generic portion 374 of the bottom member 370 generallydefines a mating area 382 configured to mate with the correspondingmating area 358 of the supporting member 340. In the present embodiment,mating areas 382 and 358 are substantially flat. In other embodiments,mating areas 382 and 358 could be other than flat. However, in suchcases, mating areas 382 and 358 would typically be complementary

In the present embodiment, the mating area 382 of the generic portion374 comprises two set of mounting holes, a first set of mounting holes384 and a second set of mounting holes 386.

The first set of mounting holes 384 matches the set of fastener holes362 in the supporting member 340 and are configured to receive thefasteners 364 used to secure the supporting member 340 to the bottommember 370.

In the present embodiment, fasteners 364 are threaded and the mountingholes 384 are correspondingly threaded (e.g. bolts).

The second set of mounting holes 386 matches a least some of thefasteners holes 360 in the supporting member 340. These mounting holes386 allow the fasteners used to secure the track system 200 to thesupporting member 340 to also extend into the bottom member 370 for astronger installation. As can be seen from the figures (see particularlyFIG. 10), the bottom portion 346 of the supporting member 340 is largerthan the bottom member 370. Hence, not all the fasteners used to securethe track system 200 to the supporting member 340 would extend into thebottom member 370.

Though not shown in the figures, one or more shim plates could be placedbetween the bottom member 370 and the supporting member 340 to providefor slight adjustments.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 to 13, the supporting member 340, alreadypartially described above, will now be described in more details.

As already mentioned, the supporting member 340 provides predeterminedattachment locations 360 in order to allow the track system 200 to beproperly mounted to the steering knuckle 104. Due to its genericconfiguration, the supporting member 340 can be mounted to a widevariety of steering knuckles generally without modifications (only thecustomized adapting member(s) would differ). Furthermore, due to itsarrays of attachment locations 360, the supporting member 340 canproperly receive and support a variety of track systems.

As is shown in FIGS. 3 to 13, in the present embodiment, the supportingmember 340 is configured to be mounted to both the top member 310 andthe bottom member 370. Notably, once the supporting member 340 ismounted to the top and bottom members 310 and 370, most (e.g. more than50%) of the periphery of the knuckle 104 is circumscribed by the adapterassembly 300 (see FIG. 5).

In order to properly link the top and bottom members 310 and 370, thesupporting member 340 generally comprises a top portion 342, and centralportion 344, and a bottom portion 346.

The top portion 342 is configured to mate with the top member 310. Inthat sense, as best shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, the top portion 342comprises the mating area 348 substantially corresponding to the matingarea 320 on the generic portion 314 of the top member 310.

In the present embodiment, the top portion 342 also comprises a seriesof fastener holes 350 extending therethrough such as to allow themounting fasteners 352, already mentioned above, to be mounted throughthe top portion 342 and into the mounting holes 322 in the mating area320. Understandably, the pattern of fastener holes 350 matches thepattern of mounting holes 322.

Still, in other embodiments, the top portion 342 could be mounted to thetop member 310 with other forms of fastening arrangements.

The central portion 344 links the top portion 342 and the bottom portion346 and generally allows the forces and loads transmitted by the tracksystem 200 to be properly spread between the top portion 108 and thebottom portion 110 of the steering knuckle 104. In the presentembodiment, the central portion 344 also comprises holes 345 (see FIG.5) configured to receive the bracket (not shown) of the vehicle steeringlimiter (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the central portion 344 generally exhibits aconvex curved shape in order to avoid interferences with the vehicle 100and more particularly with the steering components (e.g. tie rods,cylinders, etc.). In the present embodiment, the central portion 344also generally laterally flares as it extends from the top portion 342toward the bottom portion 346 (see FIG. 6). This flaring allows thebottom portion 346 to be wider, thereby allowing lateral adjustment ofthe track system 200 with respect to the bottom portion 346 and thuswith respect to the adapter assembly 300.

For its part, the bottom portion 346 is configured to mate with thebottom member 370 and is also configured to support the track system200, and other track systems, via the attachment locations 360. In thatsense, the bottom portion 346 generally comprises a top surface orregion 354 and a bottom surface or region 356.

The top surface 354 is configured to mate with the generic portion 374of the bottom member 370. In that sense, the top surface 354 generallycomprises the already mentioned substantially flat mating area 358 whichis generally shaped as the corresponding mating area 382 on the genericportion 374 of the bottom member 370.

The top surface 354, and more particularly the mating area 358, isprovided with a set of fastener holes 362. The set of fasteners holes362 extends through the bottom portion 346 all the way to the bottomsurface 356 and are configured to allow the insertion of the fasteners364 through the bottom portion 346 and into the mounting holes 384 ofthe bottom member 370.

In the present embodiment, the fasteners 364 are threaded fasteners(e.g. bolts) and the mounting holes 384 in the bottom member 370 arecorrespondingly threaded. Still, in other embodiments, the bottomportion 346 could be mounted to the bottom member 370 with other formsof fastening arrangements.

For its part, the bottom surface 356 of the bottom portion 346 isconfigured as a substantially flat receiving area configured to matewith the support frame assembly 208 of the track system. In that sense,the bottom surface 356 comprises the set of mounting holes 360 whichcorresponds to the attachment locations 360 where the track system 200can be secured.

In the present embodiment, the mounting holes 360 comprises a front rowgenerally located near the front edge of the bottom portion 346, and arear row generally located near the rear edge of the bottom portion 346.The mounting holes 360 are also laterally spaced apart in order toprovide some lateral adjustability when the track system 200 is secureto the supporting member 340.

Understandably, in other embodiments, the configuration, number and/orplacement of the mounting holes 360 could be different.

In the present embodiment, at least some of the mounting holes 360extend through the bottom portion 346 and in the mating area 358 inorder to allow the mounting fasteners (not shown) used to secure thetrack system 200 to the supporting portion 340 to also extend intocorresponding mounting holes 386 in the bottom member 370. Hence, in thepresent embodiment, the track system 200 would be directly secured toboth the supporting member 340 and the bottom member 370. Still, inother embodiments, the track system 200 could possibly be directlysecured only to the supporting member 340.

Notably, in the present embodiment, the first customized adapting member310 and the second customized adapting member 370 are configured to berespectively mounted to the top and bottom portions of the steeringknuckle 104. However, in other embodiments, depending on theconfiguration of the steering knuckle, the first customized adaptingmember 310 and the second customized adapting member 370 could beconfigured to be mounted to other portions (e.g. front, rear, etc.) ofthe steering knuckle.

Also, in other embodiments, depending on the size and configuration ofthe steering knuckle, there could be only one customized adapting memberand one generic supporting member. In such embodiments, the solecustomized adapting member would be configured to be mounted to steeringknuckle. In that sense, the sole customized adapting member wouldgenerally comprises two custom portions typically configured to bemounted to the top and bottom portions (or to other portions) of thesteering knuckle, and one generic portion configured to mate with thegeneric supporting member. For its part, the generic supporting memberwould comprise only one generic portion configured to mate with thegeneric portion of the customized adapting member, and one receivingportion comprising the attachment locations.

In use, the adapter assembly 300 is generally installed to the steeringknuckle 104 prior to the installation of the track system 200.

Thus, once the wheel to be replaced by the track system 200 is removed,the operator will first secure the top and bottom members 310 and 370 tothe knuckle 104.

Depending on the configuration of the knuckle 104, it might be necessaryfor the operator to remove the kingpin assembly 114 from the knuckle 104and to reinstall it to the bottom member 370, or to remove the kingpinassembly 114 replace it by a slightly modified (e.g. longer) kingpinassembly.

Once the top and bottom members 310 and 370 are properly secured to thesteering knuckle 104, the operator can secure the supporting member 340to the top and bottom members 310 and 370.

If necessary, the position of the supporting member 340 can be slightlyadjusted by placing one or more shim plates 324 between the top member310 and the supporting member 340.

Then, once the adapter assembly 300 is properly mounted to the steeringknuckle 104, the track system 200 can be secured to the supportingmember 340 and more particularly to its attachment locations 360.

Understandably, by providing an interfacing adapter assembly between thetrack system 200 and the steering knuckle 104, the semi-generic steeringknuckle adapter assembly 300 in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention provides proper attachment locations 360 where thetrack system 200 can be secured to the steering knuckle 104 whileavoiding attachment at inconvenient and/or weak locations on the vehicle100.

While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the inventionhave been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood thatthe inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employedand that the appended claims are intended to be construed to includesuch variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

1. An adapter assembly for supporting a track system on a steeringknuckle of a vehicle, the adapter assembly comprising: a) a customizedadapting member comprising at least a first customized portionconfigured to be mounted to the steering knuckle, and at least a firstgeneric portion; b) a generic supporting member configured to be mountedto the at least first generic portion of the first adapting member, thesupporting member comprising a plurality of attachment locations wherethe track system can be mounted.
 2. An adapter assembly as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the at least first customized portion of the adaptingmember is configured to be mounted to a first portion of the steeringknuckle.
 3. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the firstportion of the steering knuckle is a top portion of the steeringknuckle.
 4. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein theadapting member comprises a second customized portion configured to bemounted to a second portion of the steering knuckle.
 5. An adapterassembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second portion of thesteering knuckle is a bottom portion of the steering knuckle.
 6. Anadapter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least firstgeneric portion of the adapting member comprises a first mating area,and wherein the supporting member comprises a second mating areaconfigured to mate with the first mating area.
 7. An adapter assembly asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second mating areas comprisematching fastener openings configured to receive fasteners.
 8. Anadapter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting membercomprises a receiving area which comprises the plurality of attachmentlocations.
 9. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein thereceiving area is substantially flat.
 10. An adapter assembly as claimedin claim 1, wherein the adapting member is a first adapting member,wherein the adapter assembly further comprises a second customizedadapting member comprising a second customized portion configured to bemounted to the steering knuckle, and a second generic portion, andwherein the supporting member is configured to be mounted to both thefirst generic portion of the first adapting member and to the secondgeneric portion of the second adapting member.
 11. An adapter assemblyas claimed in claim 10, wherein the first customized portion of thefirst adapting member is configured to be mounted to a first portion ofthe steering knuckle.
 12. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 11,wherein the first portion of the steering knuckle is a top portion ofthe steering knuckle.
 13. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 11,wherein the second customized portion of the second adapting member isconfigured to be mounted to a second portion of the steering knuckle.14. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the secondportion of the steering knuckle is a bottom portion of the steeringknuckle.
 15. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein thefirst generic portion of the first adapting member comprises a firstmating area, wherein the second generic portion of the second adaptingmember comprises a second mating area, and wherein the supporting membercomprises third and fourth mating areas respectively configured to matewith the first and second mating areas.
 16. An adapter assembly asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the first and third mating areas comprisematching fastener openings configured to receive fasteners.
 17. Anadapter assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second and fourthmating areas comprise matching fastener openings configured to receivefasteners.
 18. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein thesupporting member comprises a top portion, a middle portion and a bottomportion.
 19. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein thebottom portion comprises the plurality of attachment locations.
 20. Anadapter assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the bottom portioncomprises a receiving area.
 21. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim20, wherein the receiving area is substantially flat.
 22. An adapterassembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the supporting member comprisesa receiving area comprising the plurality of attachment locations. 23.An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the receiving areais substantially flat.
 24. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 10,wherein the first customized portion of the first adapting member isconfigured to be mounted to a top portion of the steering knuckle, andwherein the second customized portion of the second adapting member isconfigured to be mounted to a bottom portion of the steering knuckle.25. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein the supportingmember comprises a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion,wherein the top portion of the supporting member is configured to bemounted to the first generic portion of the first adapting member, andwherein the bottom portion of the supporting member is configured to bemounted to the second generic portion of the second adapting member. 26.An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first genericportion of the first adapting member comprises a first mating area,wherein the second generic portion of the second adapting membercomprises a second mating area, wherein the top portion of thesupporting member comprises third mating area, and wherein the bottomportion of the supporting member comprises a fourth mating area, thethird and fourth mating areas being respectively configured to mate withthe first and second mating areas.
 27. An adapter assembly as claimed inclaim 26, wherein the first and third mating areas comprise matchingfastener openings configured to receive fasteners.
 28. An adapterassembly as claimed in claims 26, wherein the second and fourth matingareas comprise matching fastener openings configured to receivefasteners.
 29. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein theadapter assembly is configured to partially circumscribe the steeringknuckle.
 30. An adapter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein theplurality of attachment locations comprises a plurality of threadedopenings.
 31. A vehicle comprising left and right steering knuckles, thevehicle comprising a pair of adapter assemblies as claimed in claim 1respectively mounted to the left and right steering knuckles.
 32. Avehicle as claimed in claim 31, wherein the vehicle is an agriculturalvehicle.
 33. A vehicle as claimed in claim 31, wherein the vehicle is atractor.